This is more of a general question, but since it won't be published otherwise, I have to say that I am female, 45. I have had a few periods in life when my ferritin levels become very low. I am usually advised to take iton supplements then. I've always been told my periods are the reason, eat properly and monitor the levels. Once I pushed for further tests and the doctor said I didn't need them unless I have stomach pains etc. I don't . So this is how I live, at one point I always notice I have restless legs before falling asleep, get out of breath on the stairs, the hairbrush is full of hairs and I go to give the blood test.

The current ferritin result from last week is 14.16 ng/mL

Because I feel like s*it now, but never notice until it's too late, I started reading up on different kinds of iron supplements and their absorbtion. The info is overwhelming and I don't have the necessary background knowledge to make sense of it all. Basically I found out most supplements are iron sulphate or fumarate, some are diglycinate, and one is "iron (III) hydroxide polymaltose complex" called Maltofer. Some say II, some say III, no idea what that means.

Iron should be taken on an empty stomach, except for Maltofer, which is to be taken with food. Don't eat grains, drink coffee, tea, milk products and a bunch of other foods with it, but actually you might get a stomach ache and nausea from taking it on an empty stomach. Whole grains are extra bad for iron absorbtion. But take it in the morning (so no breakfast for at least an hour). One doctor on social media is claiming that when you take an iron supplement, your liver releases a substance that blocks the absorbtion for the next 24 hours, so take it every second day.

Sorry, but I don't eat just broccoli or apples for breakfast, I eat sandwiches, porridge, ok, I can drink water instead of coffee or tea, but I also need to eat my breakfast before I go to work, so how the heck am I supposed to structure my day around this iron pill?

Can someone sum up the iron supplement info coherently for me? Which type of iron supplement would you recommend to a patient with a low ferritin level? Which one would give a noticeable effect the fastest (the perspective of being out of breath every time I walk uphill for another 3 months is extremely depressing). If one takes, for example, 200 mg per day instead of 100, does that replenish the iron stores faster or is it counterproductive? What's the difference between the forms II and III and do the foods make such a drastic difference that the levels won't rise, if you don't follow the guidelines? Is Maltofer better than the other types and does it replenish the ferritin more effectively?

Thank you to anyone willing to explain things to me.

I am 14 male and have seen a urologist and h i have some thing called phimosis that causes me pain and he told me I must get a circumcision will it hurt allot or just hurt i am pretty scared

Hi everyone,

I’ve been dealing with persistent left shoulder, neck and arm problems for around two years, ever since my shoulder suddenly moved forward under load during a heavy bench press.

Main symptoms:

- Visible muscle asymmetry/atrophy in my left trapezius, rhomboid and infraspinatus.

- Persistent weakness and difficulty activating my left pec and shoulder muscles.

- Tightness and discomfort around my neck, shoulder blade and front shoulder.

- Tingling/numbness in my left ring and little fingers, sometimes even at rest.

Symptoms worsen with overhead movements, lateral raises, certain neck positions and resting my elbow on a desk.

Tests so far:

My cervical MRI showed straightening of the cervical lordosis and small disc protrusions with annular fissures at C5–C6 and C6–C7, but no significant spinal canal stenosis.

An EMG/nerve study reportedly showed normal findings in the nerves tested in my hand. My physiotherapist mentioned possible brachial plexus involvement or muscular contractures.

My questions:

- Could this be a nerve issue involving the brachial plexus, cervical roots (C8/T1), suprascapular nerve or ulnar nerve?

- Could a normal EMG of the hand miss a problem higher up in the arm or shoulder?

- What could explain the visible muscle atrophy and persistent weakness?

- Would a more comprehensive EMG/NCS or shoulder/brachial plexus imaging be worth discussing with a specialist?

- Can strengthening help if there’s an underlying nerve problem?

My main concern is the combination of visible muscle wasting, weakness and neurological symptoms, rather than pain alone.

I’d like to return to strength training and Muay Thai, but first I want to understand what’s going on.

Has anyone experienced something similar after a weightlifting injury?

What was your diagnosis, and what tests or treatment helped?

I understand nobody can diagnose me online, but I’d really appreciate any insights or suggestions.

Thanks for reading guys!

I have surgery tomorrow and was out on antibiotics, Zpac.

One of my coworkers is coming back from 2 days out sick with the flu. We have a project deadline and will be working close to each other all day

Male, 30, healthy. .

hello doctors of reddit, i am 22yo female and my mom 52yo female, want to ask for help on how to manage my mother’s post tb bronchiectasis. is it normal that she has a recurrent bleeding? our doctor just put us on antibiotics and no advice whatsoever. please we need advice. here’s my mom’s HRCT

NON CONTRAST MULTISLICE HIGH-RESOLUTION CT SCAN OF THE CHEST reveal irregular opacity abutting the pleura in the left upper lobe. Mixed ground glass and reticulonodular opacities are seen next to the irregular opacity.
Linear and small wedge opacity with interspersed mildly dilated bronchi are seen in the right middle lobe.
There are minimal thin linear and reticular opacities in the right upper lobe.
No gross mass in the mediastinum.
No pleural or pericardial effusion.
Central airways are unremarkable.
Osteophytes are seen in the thoracic vertebrae.

REMARKS:
LEFT UPPER LOBE PNEUMONIA, POSSIBLY WITH INTERCURRENT PTB.
RIGHT MIDDLE LOBE FIBROSIS AND SUBSEGMENTAL ATELECTASIS WITH
CYLINDRICAL BRONCHIECTASIS.
RIGHT UPPER LUNG FIBROSIS.

I 18F was prescribed antibiotics due to swelling of a sebaceous cyst near my eye. One week post antibiotics however a small hole is forming on the edge of the cyst. Is this what normally happens and should I expect anything to come out of that opening. Also another thing that has appeared is a black pore like circle under the cyst, is anyone able to identify what that is? Thank you :)

edit: added photo


My 13 year old son (145cm 30kg) got diagnosed with undisplaced proximal phalanx fracture, (index finger of his dominant hand) and the nurse put his arm in a volar slab to immobilise it for 2 weeks. This was 3 hrs ago.

It has got his wrist in flexion. (See photo) No finger numbness or discoloration, just mild discomfort, paracetamol taken.

AI is saying telling me his wrist should held in a neutral or slightly extended "position of safety". That leaving it in flexion immobilised for 2 weeks can cause "muscle shortening, joint stiffness and carpal tunnel strain"

Should I go back to the Urgent Care clinic tomorrow to see if the volar slab should be redone? Or is it OK to leave it like for 2 weeks if symptoms are stable or improving?

23M-215lb-I vape

Basically 2 years ago I cut my ring finger half way off with a skill saw right at the pip joint. I knocked out like close to half if not half of the joint on one side. It was reattached and I have decent mobility in it. My finger leans to the left and as one of the doctor says "it's basically bone on bone." Despiste this I would say pain most days is like .5 and everything is fine.

However I've recently started gaming again. I play shooters with a controller. I'm good enough where I would honestly like to do this full time and make content. This involves hours of play. I've been playing like 8 hours a day recently. Last night I had like some of my first joint pain. It was sharp and at like what I'd say was a 2, It was the kind of pain though that I can feel if/when it's starts getting worse it's going to be a real problem.

I don't use the finger for anything but gripping the controller while gaming. I know you can't see my X-rays and I'm really just trying to get an idea here of what moving forward looks like before I talk with my surgeon. Like what is gaming 8 hours a day going to do it long term? Am I just speeding up what feels like inevitable arthritis? Using it in this manner am I just going to develop bone spurs?

Thank you for any insight.

Age: Mid 30's

Sex: Male

Height: 5'8

Weight: 78kgs

Location: India

Duration: 48 days

Current medications: Razocid-HD (Rabeprazole and Domperidone) and ​Simcon (Simethicone and Activated Charcoal)

Existing medical conditions: Haital hernia in 2012 (no surgery) and cough with wheezing during cough and cold. Sometimes when eaten anything acidic (spicy/sour/tangy) short wheezing sounds but goes away after few coughs.

Smoking/alcohol/recreational drug use: No alcohol for 4 years and no smoking for 7 years.

Hello doctors,

I’m seeking guidance on what might be causing the following symptoms and what medical evaluation I should pursue.

How it started

Approximately 48 days ago, after eating spicy food and drinking carbonated beverages mixed with lime and sugar for a week, I developed severe acid reflux symptoms. Since then, I have experienced frequent daily burping and discomfort around my upper abdomen, particularly near the epigastric/xiphoid region.

My burping was more frequent when these symptoms first started, but it has decreased over time. It now tends to occur during episodes of upper abdominal discomfort, particularly after prolonged sitting or lying down.

Some foods, including raw apples and certain protein rich foods, seem to trigger gas or a sensation of trapped gas in my upper abdomen.

Symptoms often worsen after sitting for an hour or longer or lying down while using my phone. When I stand up and walk, I sometimes experience single long burp within seconds or a minute. I also occasionally experience an unusual warm sensation in the middle of my chest.

Chest wall tenderness and breathing changes.

I have a tender spot just below my left collarbone, near the breastbone. Pressing the area reproduces the pain. I have experienced similar chest wall pain following gym injuries in the past, but I have not had this episode formally diagnosed.

The tenderness sometimes worsens with slouching, prolonged phone use in bed, and carrying or lifting heavy objects with poor posture. It sometimes coincides with my digestive symptoms.

Image Link

During these episodes, my breathing pattern can feel abnormal, and I sometimes feel the need to consciously control my abdominal breathing. I also experience tightness or a clenching sensation around my upper abdomen and xiphoid region.

Occasionally, I feel as though my heart is racing, although checking my pulse does not always reveal anything unusual. I sometimes experience a strange, warm or sinking sensation in my chest that is difficult to describe.

My SpO₂ readings have remained around 98–100%. Gentle diaphragmatic breathing and relaxing sometimes improve the symptoms within seconds or minutes.

Other observations

Since this episode began, I have occasionally experienced an unexpected urge to cry or become unusually emotional while watching videos or using my phone in bed. Sometimes yawning seems to relieve this sensation. This is unusual for me, and I do not know whether it is related to the other symptoms.

I spend many hours sitting at a computer and tend to lean forward with my head pushed forward. I suspect I may also have an anterior pelvic tilt.

The symptoms can occur after sitting in an ergonomic chair for an hour or less, or when lying on my right side while using my phone. I have tried cat-cow stretches, gentle diaphragmatic breathing, and glute bridges, but some exercises occasionally seem to aggravate the tightness in my upper abdomen.

I have had an ECG, echocardiogram, and bloodwork, which were reportedly normal.

The first three weeks were particularly difficult. The symptoms have continued for 48 days, and I have not yet consulted a gastroenterologist. I have not received a confirmed diagnosis of gastritis or costochondritis for this episode.

My questions:

Given the duration and combination of symptoms, what conditions should a clinician consider, and what would be an appropriate next step in the evaluation?

Could reflux or another gastrointestinal condition coexist with musculoskeletal chest wall pain?

Do posture-related symptoms and temporary improvement with diaphragmatic breathing provide any useful diagnostic information, or are they nonspecific?

Should I arrange a gastroenterology appointment, return to my primary care doctor, or pursue another evaluation?

I have wondered whether the digestive symptoms, chest wall discomfort, and breathing changes might be related, but I do not want to assume a single cause.

Thank you for your time and guidance.

(English is not my first language, so I used ChatGPT to help correct the grammar).

For about a year and a half to two years I’ve had on and off night sweats. The worst they’ve ever been are my bedding and whatever I’m wearing feeling slightly uncomfortably wet. I’ve also noticed an increase in armpit sweat these last two years as well, when I never used to sweat. I sleep with a large comforter, but I’ve noticed with lighter bedding I sweat about the same.

I’ve thought they were genetic because my dad and sister have the same thing, but the anxious side of me worried it might be cancer. No other symptoms, blood tests and lung x ray were normal in August. When should I be concerned?

I’m a female 59, average height and weight and physically active. I’m on biodentical HRT since aged 50 (and started takin propranolol as needed the past few weeks for severe anxiety. I have severe heart palpitations, panic related to work stress and ringing in the ears. I also feel like I’m hyper aware of things like my body is pulsating and I’m hearing audio sounds out of nowhere like they are in my ear. I talked to my pcp he shrugged and offered to give me citalapram or Zoloft. I would like to fix what is wrong instead of a bandaid if possible. I quit my job because of all the stress and now I’m afraid there is something wrong with me and I won’t be able to work, causing new anxiety. I heard it takes months to get in to a neurologist.

Hi, posting on behalf of my husband, 65M, 5’8”, 70 kg, DX: rheumatoid arthritis, Medications: sulfasalazine long-term, came off biomeds 5 months ago. Non-smoker. Duration: 1 year.

A year ago early morning daily heavy bleedings down his throat, getting gradually worse. Not sure if coming from the nose or top of his throat. Specialists don't see anything, MRI and CT scans clear, lungs X-ray and CT scan clear. Blood tests clear (not sure what they are). In other words, no, tumor, no cysts.

Specialist brushed him off, saying that it will stop as suddenly as it started, nothing wrong with him. But it's gradually getting worse. And despite oral hygiene, this smell form his mouth is unmistakable.

We're really worried and now helpless because of the dismissive attitude of medical profession. Any idea what it can be and what to do next?

F18, 5’5, BMI 43.2

She went to over 4 hospitals, some even in different cities, did all of the necessary exams (Pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound examination, Ferritin and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) test, Coagulation panel, Endometrial biopsy) and yet they all gave her the same answer that they don’t know what’s happening to her body

For context, her period was always messy since the day she got it, and this bleeding started around ~6 years ago, she would bleed for a straight year with no pain and it would stop a year then repeat again, and what she bleed was so heavy that she would need to use her own clothes fabrics (as pads and period diapers didn’t work at all) and would get really huge black clots
Now it started getting worse as she’s currently bleeding for two years straight, and started to get heavy pain from it (usually the pain starts around October for some reason, it happened this year and last year’s)

Now she’s in college alone in her apartment with only her neighbour to help
A couple weeks/ months ago she tried again to contact a doctor (same result, they don’t know whats wrong with her body) but she gave her pills that are supposed to control the blood and stop it, but they aren’t working at all and she feels that the pills are making her worse, it made her life in college hell as she’s currently taking midterms while occasionally suddenly bleeding mid class and having her chair full of blood and needing to clean it

For additional context that may help with figuring out whats happening to her
Her body isn’t healthy overall, as you can tell by her BMI, her obesity didn’t come from her eating too much, actually since she was a kid till now she never ate much sometimes going days with only having one meal, her obesity came from her family as her siblings also suffer a form of obesity. her household as a whole used to be semi abusive towards her which ruined her mentality as she grew up and suffers from depression ( if maybe her family issues have any correlation)

PLEASE if anyone can help or explain whats happening to her body that would be really helpful even just a little!!!! Im really worried for her as she lives alone and only has her neighbour

I’ve been struggling with my skin for the last few months. The gp think it’s eczema and gave me strong steroid cream and hydromol which I have been using for the past 6 week and if anything it’s gotten worse and is actively spreading. I’ve been trying to get another appointment but no hope. I saw a pharmacist under the common alignments act and he was extremely concerned and said it does not look like eczema.
It’s very itchy and painful, I can’t sleep at night.
(Screenshots taken from video so not the clearest)

I’ve had quite bad headaches most days and tingling in scalp and left side of face with what feels like tension galore in my neck. This has been like this on and off for a few weeks. I’ve also had tingling around my lips and the feeling of a tense tongue / saliva pooling on left side of mouth.

I’ve been to my GP who said migraines and nothing red flag ish. I’ve read loads of cases similar to mine who get bad news - how do I get past this?

Any advice appreciated.

34F, 250 lbs 5’6”. Non smoker/drinker. Zoloft, Buspar, Lamictal, Seroquel, Vyvanse, Metformin - all for mental health.

I am a kindergarten teacher. Yesterday while drying off a slide, I hit the base of my skull on the left side on the metal platform of the playset. I did not hit it extremely hard, but at an odd angle.

Since then, I’ve had a headache and neck pain, nausea, and increasing dizziness/vision problems. I’m fairly certain I gave myself a concussion.

My question is, I CANNOT miss work. There is no one available to fill in for me this week and I am also training a new employee. Is it safe for me to continue to work? Are there any precautions I should take?

Note: I did not go to the doctor to be evaluated because I know there isn’t anything they can do for a concussion.

Female 29, 1.80m, 67kg, non-smoker.

Medications: Methylphenidate, Brintellix, Agomelatine. (Liver values for Agomelatine were checked during drug introduction and approved by psychiatrist)

I sent this picture to the psychiatrist who prescribed the above-listed drugs to confirm it is not caused by any of them, and she didn’t seem concerned at all. However she only seemed to worry within her field, and not consider what non-psychiatric issue could be behind this, and I feel quite left alone now.

I am worried because this looks almost exactly like a butterfly rash which is typical for lupus - the difference is only that it is not symmetrical. I don’t know which type of doctor to see for this and what checks to request.

- have had this rash for a week now, only on one side of my face (right side)
- it red and barely, very slightly raised
- not painful but the skin is sensitive there and it feels like I have something on my skin, almost itchy
- has slightly increased in size during examined period
- looked one evening like it was going away, but was back next morning
- skin barrier remains intact
- when I press on the spot and lift the finger, it is briefly pale and I can see blood flowing back into the place and changing the color back to red
- do not have any other allergy-associated symptoms (only known allergy is a very mild allergy to dust mites, and I have never had this type of reaction from that)
- have also had no recent changes in products or skincare

I just got off of a fever the past 5 days, I was taking Sinupret 3x a day, Paracetamol every 4 hours wheny temp is >37.5 as prescribed when I wen tot the clinic last Friday. I felt like the back of my neck and head was swollen during it. I would moslty lay down to rest as my body feels fatigued and my head would hurt for quite a while. I would also sweat a lot.

Now, my temp is back to normal and overall I feel fine except when I was woke up earlier, I cannot stand longer than a minute cus my legs feel restless and it kinda hurts. Like blood pooling? or rushing? to my feet. I felt this with my arms a couple days prior and thought it was just because of my posture when sleeping since I got sick. Now I also can't let my hands rest down the side of my body without needing to bend them upwards.

This subsides when I lay down but my legs feel particularly warm on the inside? Haven't noticed any discoloration or whatnot. I also don't have any prior illnesses.

​

Hi I just want to come on here and ask about my spotting because it's been bugging me.

My last period started on September 30th until October 4th. My next estimated period is around November 5th.

I had protected sex on 10 October using a condom and did not take any pills.

A day after the sex (first time) I saw very very light spotting but without any discharge but people have told me that it's normal and most likely from the tearing of the hymen. The rest of the spotting started on the 17th, it was light red but very little. I have been spotting up to this present day and I'm getting really worried. I mostly only see the spotting when I wipe and it's often brown and mixed with my discharge. On 22 October I went to a gp clinic to ask about the spotting and the doctor checked my insides and told me there were no injuries and everything seemed normal. I took a pregnancy test on 24th October first thing in the morning and the result showed negative thankfully. I started noticing my breasts feeling sensitive recently as well. Today, Oct 28, I noticed the spotting became more and there's much redder blood in my discharge but it's not enough to consider a period. According to my app, it says I ovulated on the 21st.

Edit: I also ate a whole tub of pineapples (net weight:450g) on the 14th of October and papayas with the seeds. But for the papaya I ate half on the 14th and the other half bit by bit for a few days along with the seeds.

24F, 5’6”, 150lbs, venlafaxine 37.5mg, non-smoker, been going on for about 3 weeks now.

I’ve taken this medicine in the past (about 4 years ago), up to 150mg and I had no issues and it worked really well for me, so I wanted to try it again. I’ve had side effects since the first time I started taking it this time and I’m a little worried about them.

First night I had different sized pupils like in the picture, that kept happening whenever I took the medicine for about a week and a half or so. Then it stopped and now it started again tonight. I also get an elevated heart rate about 30 minutes to an hour after I take my dose, so much to the point that I can feel it beating through my chest and it persists through the night and sometimes I feel like I can’t breathe, but that feeling is more in my throat instead of chest. I also get very panicked after taking it (side note: even when I’m not panicked I still get the elevated heart rate and such). My blood pressure has also raised as well from 118/80 to an average of about 140/84 (this is taken from an at home machine though, so I don’t know how accurate it is). I also get chest pains at times, not everytime, and it makes my existing dissociation even worse, which makes me feel dizzy.

My insurance isn’t active until the first, so I’ve come to Reddit lol

Edit: I started this medicine on October 6th

I have had a cough 1 week which is slimy. I have had body aches as well. No trouble breathing and have been able to work. Cough is mostly in morning and when I stand up from the couch. My voice is hoarse now and this is unusual. Should I go to the DR?

F34, 5'5 200lbs. I take SSRI's and antihistamines.

I’m 28F and my partner is 30M. We’ve been openly exclusive since the beginning of our relationship.

This is my medical history:

4 November 2022 I realized I got mycoplasma genitalium from a previous relationship. Treated it with Azitromycin 2 pills the first day then 1 pill for 4 days.

I tested after treatment and I was negative (however I will later find out that I might have tested too early).

From the beginning of April 2023 I’m in this new relationship.

After having sex with him, I go do an STI checkup and everything comes back negative (but they don’t include Mgen in the standard checkup).

Over the upcoming year I start experiencing some weird symptoms, like spotting between periods and very bad ovulation pain.

23/09/2023 I visited a gynecologist because of the spotting. I was still taking the birth control pill and assuming that was the issue. So we change to another one.

Probably beginning of 2024 I stopped the birth control pill altogether.

Mid 2024:I start experiencing very bad ovulation pain. 

23/01/2025: I visited another gynecologist, tells me there’s nothing to do, just take ibuprofen or go back taking birth control. 

A few months later I noticed a change in my private parts smell and a weird discharge and it reminded me of the Mgen.

I go get tested but they don’t test for Mgen unless you tell them your partner is positive, but I do the general STI checkup and everything else comes out negative. 

After a lot of research I figured maybe the Mgen never left my body and the treatment wasn’t enough or perhaps I tested too early after treatment. So I’m stubborn and pay for a test. 

24/06/2025: Mgen test turns out positive

Boyfriend tests himself too and he is positive.

Myself I’m positive with an antibiotics resistant strain, but his strain is different.

I get prescribed Moxifloxacin 1 pill for 7 days.

My boyfriend gets prescribed Doxycycline twice a day for 7 days.

30/07/2025 I go get tested again. This time more than one month after treatment.

Results: negative 

Now here we are.

Two weeks ago my boyfriend received an SMS from a healthcare provider informing him to go get tested for chlamydia. We are in Europe and this is legit partner tracing.

This comes as a surprise.

20/10/2026: I go do a full panel STI checkup, this time I also tell them “my partner has had mycoplasma” so they can test that again as well, just to be sure.

23/10/2026: everything negative except for Chlamydia, for which I’m positive.

What are the odds if we’ve both been loyal that this happened? He swears up and down that he hasn’t been with anyone else. 

If he had it from before, could it have stayed in his system until now? And not pass it to me until now even with constant unprotected sex?

He went to test yesterday. We don’t know if he is positive yet, but I assume yes since otherwise I wouldn’t be able to explain all of this.

He says it could be a case like my Mgen that wasn’t fully cleared from before the relationship. 

However, if I had tested negative for chlamydia in 2023 and 2025, and he got prescribed doxycycline for the Mgen, that should’ve cleared his chlamydia too, or am I wrong?

Please help me make sense of this!

Thanks for any inputs in advance.

Hi everyone,

I'm 39, male, from Italy.

I'm looking for advice and personal experiences from people who have undergone a myringotomy or myringocentesis to drain fluid from the middle ear, without having a ventilation tube inserted.

I've been dealing with serous otitis media and fluid in one ear for over a week. On previous occasions, the fluid eventually cleared up on its own after a few days, but this time it wasn't improving, and I was struggling with significant muffled hearing and a blocked-ear sensation.

My ENT doctor decided to aspirate the fluid using a needle, creating a small hole in my eardrum. No ventilation tube was inserted.

Immediately after the procedure, my hearing improved noticeably, but the blocked, underwater sensation returned a few hours later. I've also been experiencing tinnitus and some ear pain.

I went back to my ENT the following day. She checked the eardrum and told me that the hole was still open and that it was better for it to remain open for a little while to allow ventilation. She also explained that it should close naturally within the next few days. I have a follow-up appointment scheduled in about 10 days.

I'm feeling quite anxious about the perforation, especially because I work as a flight attendant and I'm worried about how this could affect my hearing and my ability to return to flying.

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through something similar:

- How long did it take for the hole in your eardrum to close completely?

- How long did it take for the eardrum to heal fully?

- Did your hearing improve immediately, or did the blocked sensation and fluid persist after the procedure?

- Did anyone experience tinnitus or ear pain afterward? If so, how long did it last?

- Did the fluid eventually clear up, or did you need further treatment?

- Did anyone develop a persistent perforation after this procedure, or did it heal spontaneously?

I understand that everyone's situation is different and that medical advice should come from an ENT specialist. I'm mainly hoping to hear from people who have had a similar experience, especially those who underwent the procedure without a ventilation tube.

Thank you so much for reading. Any experiences or reassurance would mean a lot to me.

F26, 70kg
I went to my GP with heel, shoulder, and lower back pain alongside finger swelling and skin/nail issues. I showed them the photos in this post. My doctor said these are normal things that happen sometimes and that I was overreacting by coming in. Am I really overreacting?

The rest of the images are in the comments.
Thank you for your time I’m going nuts.

​

Hi everyone, I'm genuinely worried about my girlfriend and would appreciate some honest, medically informed advice.

Her details:

- Age: 18

- Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

- Weight: 60 kg

- Country: India

Her menstrual history:

Her last period started late at night on 26 September 2026. Her usual menstrual cycle is around 25–29 days long. Today is 28 October, and her period still hasn't arrived. We're getting increasingly anxious because we don't know whether the incident could have resulted in pregnancy.

What happened:

On 3 October, I attempted vaginal penetration. The tip of my penis may have entered her vagina, but only briefly, for approximately 10 seconds. My penis seemed dry, and I did not ejaculate inside her vagina. I ejaculated on her buttocks instead. We're unsure whether any semen reached her vaginal opening.

Other details:

- She has been sleeping around 5–6 hours on some nights.

- She travelled twice during this menstrual cycle.

- Last year, her cycle length changed from approximately 29 days to 25 days after travelling.

- She currently has sticky vaginal discharge.

- She says her cervix feels low and firm when she checks internally.

What we're trying to understand:

1. Given the extremely brief attempted penetration, apparently dry penis and no ejaculation inside, how concerned should we realistically be about pregnancy?

2. Could travel, stress or reduced sleep explain her delayed period?

3. Can sticky discharge or a low, firm cervix tell us anything meaningful about whether she could be pregnant?

We're not looking for false reassurance, but we're also trying not to panic unnecessarily. I'd appreciate honest answers with medical reasoning, especially from people with relevant healthcare knowledge or similar experiences.

Please be respectful. This situation has been genuinely stressful for both of us.